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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask whether you are aware of the NATO summit taking place in Wales in September?

249 replies

emsiewill · 24/08/2014 20:40

If you live in South Wales you are probably aware that 82 of the world's leaders, including Obama will be at the NATO summit taking place at the Celtic Manor in Newport on 4 - 5 September.

If you aren't local, you probably aren't aware that this is the largest security operation ever undertaken in the UK. That steel fences have been erected around the Celtic Manor and all around Cardiff, already causing traffic chaos.

And that this is taking place a mile from my house, I am on the route of one of the "peaceful" protests, and, with the current conflicts taking place in Gaza, Iraq and Syria, I am shit scared that the summit will be targeted by militants of one persuasion or another, and I and my family and neighbours will be directly in the firing line.

So, if you are not local to me, have you heard about this summit?

OP posts:
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MissPenelopeLumawoo · 25/08/2014 14:24

Are they actually stopping the traffic from using the motorway then? If so, where is it supposed to go? (Eyes M4/M5 interchange at Bristol nervously)

BoredPanda · 25/08/2014 14:27

Yes- I'm not even in Europe (in the US) but if I didn't know, I'd be fired! Hmm

Ruhrpott · 25/08/2014 15:15

Can't be a complete no fly zone. I'm flying from Cardiff airport on the 4th on a KLM flight and it's not been cancelled. According to the website they have no plans to close M4, just might be some rolling road blocks.

Keepcalmanddrinkwine · 25/08/2014 15:18

It's a no-fly zone for small planes etc, I imagine commercial flights will go ahead as normal and we will see a lot more action overhead from Yeovilton Air Base.

ForalltheSaints · 25/08/2014 15:42

No I hadn't. Good job I'm not coming to a football match in Wales then.

Original poster
emsiewill · 25/08/2014 15:50

It's as I thought, apart from a few exceptions, where people have "connections", only local people know about this.

It will be interesting to be able to watch it all from close proximity - luckily (hmmm, really?!) I have recently been made redundant, and not yet found another job, so will be able to stay at home on 4-5 Sept and watch the goings-on. If I had to get anywhere urgently, I would be worried.

We will be parking our cars away from the house for the day that the protest is planned, just in case. Can't do much about the house itself though...

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softlysoftly · 25/08/2014 23:18

Differentcountry whats the event in the bay?

Blueandwhitelover · 26/08/2014 08:29

I'm in Plymouth but have a son who lives closer who is involved in sorting out the potential aftermath of any trouble (vague enough I hope). That's the only reason I've heard of it, whenever I say to anyone about it they look at me as if I'm having a menopausal moment. Really Obama? In Newport Wales? Bless! I can hear them thinking.

missmartha · 26/08/2014 08:36

I heard yesterday from a reliable source, that part of the M4 is being closed so that it can be used as a landing strip for some planes.

I live in Cardiff and some of the roads are already a nightmare and getting around is going to be challenging to say the least.

Original poster
emsiewill · 26/08/2014 08:42

Blueandwhite that's exactly how I feel when I tell people! They think I've lost the plot!

However, not sure I believe the thing about landing planes on the M4...sounds a bit farfetched even for my cynical mind.

OP posts:
missmartha · 26/08/2014 08:46

Yes, I tend to agree, it sounds odd, but Cardiff on lock down has a ring of a spy novel about it too.

Original poster
emsiewill · 26/08/2014 08:55

Well that's true, I guess. Ring of steel around the Celtic Manor (which is apparently now in the "Vale of Usk") is also surreal but definitely there...

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nannynoss · 26/08/2014 13:35

I vaguely knew as I follow the Argus on Facebook. (I'm from Newport and family still live there so like to be in the know!)
When the Ryder Cup was on, the Celtic Manor told celebrities 'if you feel like sightseeing around Newport while you're here.....don't' Grin
I did spot Will Smith outside a pub in Caerleon though!

Pisghetti · 26/08/2014 15:34

Slightly off topic but I am a little perplexed by the open top bus tours in Newport. What do they actually visit?

Anyway yes I am aware of it as I am relatively local (not very but I use the M4) and have seen the signs, and the fence. Amazingly it is only this thread though that has actually prompted my brain into thinking how we're actually going to manage to drive to the south west as planned on the 5th.....

DoristheCamel · 26/08/2014 15:38

Grin I think someone was pulling your leg about landing planes on the M4.
I am struggling to think how and where there is an expanse not only clear of bridges but overhead power lines too.

The Vale schools and roads are also affected and I am guessing this is because of the arrivals at the airport. I know all airport staff are on a leave ban during thus period.

Muddledandunsure · 26/08/2014 15:41

I've got to try and get to work along the m4, I drive past the Celtic manor so I'm not really looking forward to it.

Original poster
emsiewill · 26/08/2014 17:22

We had a briefing about the whole thing as my (now ex) office is on a business park right next to the Celtic Manor (Langstone if you know the area).

We were told they would be flying in to Bristol & Cardiff & this ties in with the schools in the Vale being closed / changing their hours, as they are on the route.

Went to Duffryn House in the Vale a couple of weeks ago, and we were held up for about 10 minutes by a policeman on a bike. Eventually 3 black cars raced past, plain but with flashing lights, suited people sitting in the back, flanked front & back by police motorbikes. Apparently it was a training exercise.

DH & a couple of other friends have had similar experiences on the M4 and other local roads.

Pisghetti I have actually been on the Newport open top bus tour (was about 8 years ago - not sure they still do it). It went past the Transporter bridge, Tredegar House, into Caerleon...that's all I can remember.

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Original poster
emsiewill · 28/08/2014 18:04

Lots of helicopter action overhead today. Also this amusing video online, who'd have thought the US ambassador would be such a good sport??

Everyone* in Newport up in arms that the news have referred to the summit as being in Cardiff. Incensed isn't the word.

*some people who have nothing better to moan about.

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IcecreamWhatSandwich · 28/08/2014 19:10

Everyone who watched the youtube of the 'official song' embedded above, you now owe it to yourselves to watch the much funnier and more authentic Goldie Lookin Chain version - search youtube for 'You're not from Newport'.

toomuchicecream · 28/08/2014 20:37

Got to be in Cardiff for 3pm on Saturday. Should I be allowing extra time for traffic chaos? If so, how long do you reckon?

mum9876 · 28/08/2014 22:21

Yes was intrigued by the new fence the other week.

missknows · 28/08/2014 22:34

I knew about it but only because I am from just over the bridge and was in Newport last week. It sounds like quite a scary operation.

Chimchar · 28/08/2014 22:38

I'm in Cardiff.

We knew about it because dcs school have 'urged' us to walk to school on the 4th and 5th due to traffic disruption.

I can't help but think that no bugger will ever want to visit Cardiff if they see it all covered in those bloody awful fences. Have you seen the body scanner things on the crossing by the castle?

ICanSeeTheSun · 28/08/2014 22:44

m.youtube.com/watch?v=Eijc2tGe-zM

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 28/08/2014 22:52

We were at Celtic Mankr yesterday and in Cardiff Bay today. (Live pretty locally!)

If you can park in Celtic Manor and ignore the huge fences outside, police presence in the car park and security on the conference levels then it's all fine!

I had no idea that Cardiff Bay was also affected - apparently there's a gala event one evening. The huge steel fences are being erected for miles, it's hard to get across onto the barrage and there were police divers in the dock where the Navy ship is due to dock in a couple of days.

We'd avoided the city centre on purpose!

Our ds's return to school is a complete pita. Inset Monday, normal day Tuesday, finish at 2 on Wednesday, start at 11 on Monday and inset on Friday. We were told of this 2 days before they broke up for the summer holidays. We had managed to plan their usual 6 weeks off around mine and DH's work but this 7th week is a real challenge. We're being told to plan ahead - but not what or where the congestion is likely to be. We're expected to get to work as usual and have been told to allow plenty of extra time but teachers have somehow managed to get school hours changed - how does that work for the ret of us?!

As you might have guessed I'm not happy!

Ruhrpott I'd allow plenty of extra time to get to Cardiff for your flight. We've been told that there will be rolling road blocks between Cardiff airport and Newport that could cause significant disruption but not when!

emsie I hope it all goes without a hitch for you.